Visual user interface for aerosol-generating devices

ABSTRACT

A user interface, such as a visual user interface, is configured to display a static or motion image around an aerosol-generating device ( 10 ). The aerosol-generating device includes a housing having a curved outer surface surrounding a longitudinal axis and a flexible display ( 20 ) having a curved viewing surface at least partially surrounding the longitudinal axis disposed adjacent to the curved outer surface. A control circuit ( 54 ) is operatively coupled to the flexible display and includes a memory to store a motion image ( 30 ). The control circuit is configured to display the motion image on the curved viewing surface in response to activation of the aerosolizer, which may be executed according to a method, which may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. A remote user device may be used with the aerosol-generating device.

This disclosure relates to user interfaces, such as a visual userinterface configured to display a static or motion image around anaerosol-generating device.

Handheld aerosol-generating devices, such as cartomizer electroniccigarettes, are known, which utilize liquid to be evaporated or solidmaterial (which may contain tobacco) to be heated to generate aninhalable aerosol. These devices may provide an alternative experienceto conventional combustion cigarettes. Some devices may adopt a similarlook and feel to conventional cigarettes, which may be familiar, easy tohandle, portable, and easy to manufacture. In particular, some devicesare shaped with a rotationally symmetric cylindrical body and have aninternal breath-activated switch to activate the generation, or release,of the inhalable aerosol.

Conventional cigarettes provide a palette of sensory experiences. Thesesensory experiences may include one or more senses, such as taste,smell, touch, hearing, and sight. Some examples of sight experiences ofa conventional cigarette include seeing light when burning and reducingin length. On the other hand, alternative aerosol-generating devicesoften do not provide all the sensory experiences of a conventionalcigarette. For example, the heater coil may be isolated from userinteraction or may not give off light visible to the user, andconsumption of the liquid store does not visibly reduce the overalllength of the device.

It would be desirable to provide users of aerosol-generating deviceswith an improved experience with aerosol-generating devices thatprovides more sensory experiences to the user, particularly visualexperiences, in response to user interaction while maintaining thefamiliar shape of a conventional cigarette. It would also be desirableto provide users with these visual experiences without complicating useof the device. It would further be desirable to provide users with theability to customize the visual sensory experiences in a convenientmanner.

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to an aerosol-generating deviceproviding a visual user interface. The device includes a housing havinga curved outer surface surrounding a longitudinal axis. The device alsoincludes a flexible display having a curved viewing surface at leastpartially surrounding the longitudinal axis disposed adjacent to thecurved outer surface. The device further includes an aerosolizer togenerate aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate. Still further,the device includes a control circuit operatively coupled to theflexible display and including a memory to store a motion image. Thecontrol circuit is configured to display the motion image on the curvedviewing surface in response to activation of the aerosolizer.

In one or more aspects, the flexible display is an AMOLED display.

In one or more aspects, the flexible display is touch sensitive.

In one or more aspects, the flexible display is configured to displayone or more selectable elements.

In one or more aspects, the flexible display extends around thelongitudinal axis about 90 degrees or more.

In one or more aspects, the flexible display is in the shape of apartial cylinder.

In one or more aspects, the flexible display is disposed distal to amouth portion, an actuator, or both, the actuator configured to activatethe aerosolizer in response to being pressed by the user.

In one or more aspects, the control circuit is further configured tomodulate the display of the motion image in response to a puff profileof a user puff used to activate the aerosolizer.

In one or more aspects, the motion image includes a colour change of atleast one portion of the curved viewing surface.

In one or more aspects, the control circuit is further configured todisplay a static or motion image when a user is not puffing on the mouthportion of the device.

In one or more aspects, the memory is configured to store the motionimage using at least about 500 kilobytes.

In one or more aspects, the memory is configured to store a plurality ofimages including the motion image.

In one or more aspects, the control circuit includes a communicationinterface configured to download one or more images from a remote userdevice.

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a remote user devicefor use with the aerosol-generating device. The remote user device isconfigured to provide the aerosol-generating device with one or more ofan image, a user selection, and a configuration of theaerosol-generating device over a communication interface.

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for usewith the aerosol-generating device. The method includes detectingactivation of the aerosolizer the aerosol-generating device, anddisplaying the motion image on the curved viewing surface of theflexible display.

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium including a stored computer programthat, when run on programmable electric circuitry, causes theprogrammable electric circuitry to execute the method.

Advantageously, utilizing the aerosol-generating device with the visualuser interface may provide a visual artistic effect that contributes tothe palette of sensory experiences and interaction available to a userwhen puffing, not puffing, or both and that facilitate aestheticinterest in both solitary and social settings. At the same time,integration of the visual user interface around the device may allow thedevice to have shape similar to conventional cigarettes that isfamiliar. The aerosol-generating device may also provide a convenientmanner of customizing the sensory experiences provided by theaerosol-generating device by allowing downloadable visual and artisticeffects, selections, and configurations. Including a touch display onthe aerosol-generating device may further increase interaction,reconfigurability, and customization of sensory experiences offered bythe aerosol-generating device. Other benefits will become apparent toone skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Thepresent disclosure describes herein the aerosol-generating device inmore detail.

All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonlyused in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions providedherein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequentlyherein.

The term “aerosol-generating device” refers to a device including anaerosol-generating substrate. Preferably, the aerosol-generating devicealso includes an aerosolizer, such as an atomizer or heater.

The term “aerosol-generating substrate” refers to a device or substratethat releases, upon heating, volatile compounds that may form an aerosolto be inhaled by a user. Suitable aerosol-generating substrates mayinclude plant-based material. For example, the aerosol-generatingsubstrate may include tobacco or a tobacco-containing materialcontaining volatile tobacco flavor compounds, which are released fromthe aerosol-generating substrate upon heating. In addition, oralternatively, an aerosol-generating substrate may include a non-tobaccocontaining material. The aerosol-generating substrate may includehomogenized plant-based material. The aerosol-generating substrate mayinclude at least one aerosol former. The aerosol-generating substratemay include other additives and ingredients such as flavorants.Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate is a liquid at roomtemperature. For example, the aerosol forming substrate may be a liquidsolution, suspension, dispersion or the like. Preferably, theaerosol-generating substrate may include glycerol, propylene glycol,water, nicotine and, optionally, one or more flavorants. Preferably, theaerosol-generating substrate includes nicotine.

The term “tobacco material” refers to a material or substance includingtobacco, which includes tobacco blends or flavored tobacco, for example.

The present disclosure relates to visual user interfaces, such as avisual user interface for an aerosol-generating device. The term“cartomizer” refers to a combination of cartridge and atomizer that ispart of an electronic cigarette.

The visual user interface may be at least partially provided by adisplay. The display may be disposed in any suitable location along theaerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include amouth portion (which may include a mouth piece) and a controller portion(which may include a control circuit). A thermal brake may be disposedbetween the mouth portion and the controller portion. The display may bedisposed distal to one or both of to the mouth portion and actuator. Inparticular, the display may be coupled to a housing of theaerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may include an aerosol-generatingsubstrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may be formed of or becontained in a cartridge or heat stick, which may be coupled to thehousing of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generatingsubstrate may be associated with an identifier of the substrate or ofother parameters related to the substrate, such as an ideal heatingtemperature or capacity. The identifier may be disposed on a containerof the substrate (for example, the cartridge or heat stick housing).

An aerosolizer may be operatively coupled to the aerosol-generatingsubstrate to generate aerosol when activated. In particular, theaerosolizer may be thermally coupled to the aerosol-generatingsubstrate. The aerosolizer may also be coupled to the housing of theaerosol-generating device. The aerosolizer may be at least partially orentirely disposed in the mouth portion of the aerosol-generating device.The aerosolizer may be at least partially disposed in the controllerportion.

The aerosolizer may utilize any suitable technique for generatingaerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosolizer may useheat to generate aerosol and include a heating blade or a heater.Additionally, or alternatively, the aerosolizer may include a vibratingelement, which may not need heat to generate aerosol. The heating blademay be useful for inserting into a solid substrate and being heated toproduce aerosol. The heater may include a heating element disposedadjacent to a liquid substrate that is heated to produce aerosol. Aheater may be a mesh heater. The mesh heater may allow liquid substratestored in the storage compartment to pass through interstices in themesh heater from one surface of the mesh to an opposite surface of themesh.

The aerosolizer may be a heating blade that heats a smoking materialsubstrate to generate aerosol from the smoking material. Theaerosol-generating substrate may be contained in a substrate housing.The substrate may be described as, or as a content of, a heat stick. Theaerosolizer may be coupled to the consumable device to aerosolize theheat stick or the heat stick contents. The heating blade may be insertedinto the heat stick to heat the aerosol-generating substrate. The heatprovided by the heating blade to the heat stick may not burn the smokingmaterial. The smoking material may include tobacco.

The aerosolizer may include a heater, a heater coil, a chemical heatsource such as a carbon heat source, or any suitable means that heats aliquid substrate to generate aerosol from a liquid substrate. Theaerosolizer may receive electrical energy or power to release orgenerate aerosol from the liquid substrate. The aerosolizer may be aheater that varies in temperature depending on the electrical energyreceived. For example, the heater may rise in temperature in response toa higher voltage received. The aerosolizer may be disposed adjacent tothe aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the aerosolizer may becoupled adjacent to the liquid substrate.

The aerosolizer may be compatible for use with an aerosol-generatingsubstrate having a nicotine source and a lactic acid source. Thenicotine source may include a sorption element, such as a PTFE wick withnicotine adsorbed thereon, which may be inserted into a chamber forminga first compartment. The lactic acid source may include a sorptionelement, such as a PTFE wick, with lactic acid adsorbed thereon, whichmay be inserted into a chamber forming a second compartment. Theaerosolizer may include a heater to heat both the nicotine source andthe lactic acid source. Then, the nicotine vapor may react with thelactic acid vapor in the gas phase to form an aerosol.

The aerosolizer may be compatible for use with an aerosol-generatingsubstrate having a capsule that contains nicotine particles and disposedin a cavity. During a user's inhalation, the air flow may rotate thecapsule. The rotation may suspend and aerosolize the nicotine particles.

The aerosol-generating device may include an actuator. The actuator mayinclude a button or other type of switch. The actuator may be engaged inresponse to being pressed, toggled, or otherwise manipulated by theuser. The engagement of the actuator may initiate various functionalityof the aerosol-generating substrate. Visual user interface may beactivated in response to engagement of the actuator. The aerosolizer maybe activated in response to engagement of the actuator.

The actuator may be coupled to the housing of the aerosol-generatingdevice. For example, the actuator may be disposed in or on the housingof the aerosol-generating device to be accessible by the user. Inparticular, the actuator may be disposed on the control portion of theaerosol-generating device. The actuator may be associated with one ormore functions. The actuator may be used to power on (for example,activate) and power off (for example, deactivate) the aerosolizer orother components of the aerosol-generating device. The actuator mayutilize any suitable mechanism to receive input from the user, such as amechanical button that may be pressed by the user.

A power source may be used to provide power to the aerosolizer or othercomponents of the aerosol-generating device. The power source may beoperatively coupled to at least the aerosolizer. The power source mayalso be operatively coupled to the display or the control circuit. Thepower source may be disposed in the controller portion of theaerosol-generating device. The power source may be a battery. Thebattery may be disposable or rechargeable. The power source may includea charging interface configured to operatively couple to an externalpower source to charge the battery.

In addition, or as an alternative to the actuator, a puff sensor may beoperatively coupled to the aerosolizer to activate the aerosolizer. Apuff sensor may be operatively coupled to a controller of theaerosol-generating device. A puff sensor may detect an inhalation by theuser on the mouth portion of the aerosol-generating device. The puffsensor may be positioned within an airflow channel in theaerosol-generating device to detect when a user inhales, or puffs, onthe device. The puff may be detected by the controller using the puffsensor. Non-limiting types of puff sensors may include one or more of avibrating membrane, a piezoelectric sensor, a mesh-like membrane, apressure sensor (for example, a capacitive pressure sensor), and anairflow switch.

In response to the puff detection, the puff sensor may provide a puffprofile, which may describe a magnitude or intensity (for example,speed) of inhalation. Any suitable mechanism for detecting a puff may beused. The puff sensor may include at least part of the control circuitto receive a signal from the puff sensor.

The housing of the aerosol-generating device may define an outersurface. The outer surface may be curved around a longitudinal axis. Inparticular, the outer surface may at least partially or entirelysurround the longitudinal axis. The display may include a viewingsurface that is also curved around the longitudinal axis. The curvedviewing surface may at least partially or entirely surround thelongitudinal axis. The curved viewing surface and the curved outersurface of the housing, together, may facilitate an overall shape of theaerosol-generating device that is familiar to users of conventionalcigarettes. The curved viewing surface may also provide an increasedviewing angle, which may facilitate in increased aesthetic interest toother people in social settings.

The viewing surface may be disposed adjacent to the curved outer surfaceof the housing. The viewing surface may be disposed flush, super flush(for example, be protruded), or sub flush (for example, be recessed) tothe outer surface of the housing. The display may have the same shape asthe outer surface of the housing. The display may be in the shape of apartial cylinder or include a cylindrical shape. The display may extendat least partially or entirely around the outer surface of the housing.

The display may be a flexible display to facilitate formation of thecurved viewing surface. In particular, the flexible display may beflexed to provide the curved viewing surface. Once the display is fixedor otherwise coupled to the housing, the display may no longer becapable of flexing, for example, when the display is at least partiallyor entirely attached.

The curved viewing surface may extend at least partially around thelongitudinal axis. For example, the curved viewing surface may extend atleast about 90 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 270 degrees, or more.The viewing surface may extend completely around the longitudinal axisand the outer surface of the housing. For example, the viewing surfacemay extend around the longitudinal axis about 360 degrees. The viewingsurface may extend around the longitudinal axis in a range of about 90degrees to about 360 degrees, about 180 degrees to about 360 degrees, orabout 270 degrees to about 360 degrees.

The display may include a plurality of pixels, for example, arrangedinto an array that are capable of forming images. The display may beused to show various images at different times. The images may be staticimages or motions images, which may be a series of static images or anencoded motion image. The display may show one or more viewableelements, selectable elements, and colours. The display may be a colourdisplay. The colour display may be an active-matrix organiclight-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, such an AMOLED displaymanufactured by TIANMA.

The display may have a sufficient density of pixels to provide a visualfidelity that is pleasing. The display may have a minimum resolution ofgreater than or equal to about 50 dots per inch (dpi), about 72 dpi,about 100 dpi, about 150 dpi, about 300 dpi, about 600 dpi, about 800dpi, about 1000 dpi, about 1500 dpi, about 2000 dpi, about 2500 dpi, orabout 3000 dpi. Preferably, the display may have a minimum resolution ofabout 800 dpi, about 802 dpi, about 804 dpi, about 806 dpi, or about 808dpi. The display may have a maximum resolution of less than or equal toabout 3000 dpi, about 2700 dpi, about 2600 dpi, about 2500 dpi, about2000 dpi, about 1500, about 1000 dpi, about 800 dpi, about 600 dpi,about 300 dpi, about 150 dpi, about 100 dpi, or about 72 dpi. Thedisplay may have a resolution in a range from about 50 dpi to about 3500dpi, about 72 dpi to about 3000 dpi, about 200 dpi to about 2000 dpi, orabout 400 dpi to about 1000 dpi. Preferably, the display may have aminimum resolution of about 401 dpi, a maximum resolution of about 806dpi, or a resolution in the range of about 401 dpi to about 806 dpi.

The minimum resolution may depend on the characters to be shown on thedisplay. For example, the minimum resolution may be at least 806 dpi forChinese-language characters.

The display may be a suitable size for use in a handheldaerosol-generating device. In particular, the display may be limited tothe size of the aerosol-generating device while being large enough toperceive visually interesting images. The screen may have a viewablesurface area of greater than or equal to about 0.5 mm by 0.5 mm, about 1mm by about 1 mm, or about 2 mm by 2 mm. The viewable surface area ofthe screen may be less than or equal to the surface area of theaerosol-generating device.

The flexible display may include a touch sensitive component, which maybe used to receive user input and to facilitate touch interaction withthe aerosol-generating device. The touch sensitive component may be atransparent touchscreen disposed on the viewing surface of the displayto at least partially or entirely cover the viewing surface. The touchsensitive component may include a selectable element disposed proximateor adjacent to the viewing surface (for example, a touch button nodisposed over the viewing surface). The touch sensitive component may beimplemented using any suitable technique, such as capacitive touchsensitivity or resistive touch sensitivity.

The viewing surface may be used to show one or more selectable elements,such as “virtual” touch buttons or icons, corresponding totouch-responsive areas of the touch sensitive component. For example,the viewing surface may show one selectable element and the touchsensitive component may define a touch button over the selectableelement. The one selectable element may be used for a single function,such as a power button to power on and power off the aerosol-generatingdevice or the display. Alternatively, the one selectable element may beused for multiple functions. For example, the one selectable element mayfunction as a power button when a first image is shown on the viewingsurface and may function as a battery test button when a second image isshown on the viewing surface. Any other suitable functions may also beassociated with the one selectable element.

The viewing surface may be used to show multiple selectable elements,each of which may be associated with a different function and each ofwhich may be associated with different functions depending on the imagecurrently shown on the viewing surface. For example, a first selectableelement may be used as a power button and a second selectable elementmay be used as a battery test button.

The one or more selectable elements may be stored as data locally on theaerosol-generating device, for example, on a local memory. Theaerosol-generating device may have a limited amount of memory capacityavailable to store data. The capacity may be limited, for example, bythe physical size of the aerosol-generating device. One or moreselectable elements may be downloaded onto the aerosol-generating deviceto facilitate a greater range of visual artistic effects available tothe user. Downloaded selectable elements may be associated with thesame, similar, or different functionalities to selectable elementsalready stored on the aerosol-generating device.

The control circuit of the aerosol-generating device may include one ormore of a display driver, a communication interface, a controller (forexample, a microprocessor or microcontroller), and a memory to storedata. The control circuit may be operatively coupled to one or more ofthe display, the actuator, the aerosolizer, and the puff sensor tofacilitate various functionality of the aerosol-generating device.

One or more of the controllers described herein may include a processor,such as a central processing unit (CPU), computer, logic array, or otherdevice capable of directing data coming into or out of theaerosol-generating device. The controller includes one or more computingdevices having memory, processing, and communication hardware. Thefunctions of the controller may be performed by hardware and/or ascomputer instructions on a non-transient computer readable storagemedium.

The processor of the controller may include any one or more of amicroprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or equivalent discrete orintegrated logic circuitry. In some examples, the processor may includemultiple components, such as any combination of one or moremicroprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more DSPs, one or moreASICs, and/or one or more FPGAs, as well as other discrete or integratedlogic circuitry. The functions attributed to the controller or processorherein may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof. While described herein as a processor-based system,an alternative controller could utilize other components such as relaysand timers to achieve the desired results, either alone or incombination with a microprocessor-based system.

The exemplary systems, methods, and interfaces may be implemented usingone or more computer programs using a computing apparatus, which mayinclude one or more processors and/or memory. Program code and/or logicdescribed herein may be applied to input data/information to performfunctionality described herein and generate desired outputdata/information. The output data/information may be applied as an inputto one or more other devices and/or methods as described herein or aswould be applied in a known fashion. In view of the above, it will bereadily apparent that the controller functionality as described hereinmay be implemented in any manner known to one skilled in the art.

The control circuit may be used to enable various modes of theaerosol-generating device. One example includes a visual artistic effecton activation mode, in which a motion image may be shown on the viewingsurface in response to activation of the aerosolizer, for example, bythe actuator or puff senor. Upon detecting a puff and optionallyreceiving a puff profile, the controller may collect a memory addressassociated with the visual artistic effect to be shown. Data associatedwith the visual artistic effect may be fetched from the memory at thememory address. The data may be used to display or show the visualartistic effect on the viewing surface of the display. The visualartistic effect may be a static image or, preferably, a motion image forincreased visual interest.

Other image data, such as user manuals or user messages, may beretrieved in a similar manner, for example, in response to a user actionother than puffing. A remote user device (for example, a smartphone ortablet), may be used to detect one or more types of user actions, suchas inputs on a touchscreen.

The visual artistic effect may be displayed concurrently with theactivation of the aerosolizer, which may facilitate a similar effect tothe burning of a conventional cigarette in response to a user puff. Thecontrol circuit may be used to activate the aerosolizer in response todetecting the puff or activation of the actuator. The visual artisticeffect may have a duration that lasts at least part of or the entireduration of the puff. The visual artistic effect may last longer thanthe duration of the puff. For example, the visual artistic effect maycontinue up to about 5 seconds after the user finishes puffing. Forexample, the visual artistic effect may be a motion image that finishesanimation when the user finishes puffing or up to about 5 seconds afterthe user finishes puffing.

Another example of a mode of the aerosol-generating device includes avisual artistic effect as continuous wall paper mode. This mode maydisplay a wallpaper when the user is not puffing on the mouth portion ofthe device. A wallpaper may include a static or motion image, which maybe fetched from the memory. The wallpaper may be related or unrelated tothe image displayed in response to activation. For example, the controlcircuit may transition from the continuous wall paper mode to theactivation mode in response to a user puff and may transition back tocontinuous wall paper mode when the user stops puffing. Having a relatedimage may facilitate a more coherent visual experience whentransitioning between modes. The visual artistic effect as continuouswall paper mode may display a static image as the wallpaper, forexample, to save energy compared to displaying a motion image as thewallpaper.

Another example includes a configuration of user interface mode. Thismode may display a user interface image, which may be stored in memory.The user interface image may include one or more selectable elements orviewable elements. User selection of selectable elements using thetouchscreen or other buttons may be detected.

Another example of a mode of the aerosol-generating device includes aconfiguration by remote user device mode. In this mode, an image, a userselection, or a device configuration may be provided to theaerosol-generating device from a remote user device using thecommunication interface. The remote user device may be a smartphone ortablet. The communication interface may use any suitable communicationprotocol, such as Bluetooth. The image may be a static or motion image,which may represent a new visual artistic effect not already present inthe memory or a new visual user interface image (for example, a newarrangement of selectable or viewable elements). The user selection mayrepresent a visual artistic effect selection by the user using thetouchscreen or the remote user device. The device configuration mayinclude an automatic visual artistic effect selection based on detectionof the aerosol-generating substrate, for example, by detecting theidentifier.

Another example of a mode includes a modulated visual artistic effectmode. This mode may use a detected puff profile to increase visualinterest related to puffing. In particular, the visual artistic effectmay be modulated based on the puff profile. When the user puffs with astronger intensity, the visual artistic effect may, for example, bemodulated in terms of one or more of brightness, contrast, colour orcolour tone, speed of animation, size, and visual quality accordingly.For example, a moderate puff may result in the visual artistic effectbeing displayed at a nominal speed. A big or fast puff may result in thevisual artistic effect being modulated to display at a faster speed, forexample, at about 1.5× of the nominal speed. A small or slow puff mayresult in the visual artistic effect being modulated to display at aslower speed, for example, at about 0.5× of the nominal speed.

The control circuit may include any suitable type of memory. The memorymay have a physical size that is convenient for fitting in the housingof the aerosol-generating device. The memory may have a length by widthless than or equal to about 3 mm by about 2 mm and a thickness dimensionless than both the length and width. The length by width may be lessthan or equal to about 2.92 mm by about 1.52 mm. The memory may be aserial flash memory having a capacity suitable for storing at leaststatic or motion image data. One example of a memory having a convenientsize and capacity is LES25S161 memory in a WLCSP8 package asmanufactured by ONSemiconductor.

The memory may store data representing one or more static or motionimages (for example, as part of the factory settings or as downloaded bythe user with a remote user device). The memory may store one, two, ormore images. The memory may store a plurality of images. The one or moreimages stored may use a total of at least about 500, about 700, about900, about 1000 kilobytes of memory capacity. Other data may also bestored on the memory in addition to the image data. The memory may havea total memory capacity that is less than or equal to about 4096kilobytes or about 2048 kilobytes.

The communication interface of the control circuit may be used tooperatively couple to a remote user device, for example, to transferdata. One or more images may be downloaded onto the aerosol-generatingdevice from the remote user device using the communication interface. Anapplication, or “app,” may be installed on the remote user device, suchas a smartphone or tablet. The application may be used to receive userinput and to configure which visual artistic effects are to be shown onthe viewing surface under various conditions. The operative coupling maybe wired or, preferably, wireless. The communication interface mayinclude one or more of an antenna (for wireless communication) or amini-Universal Serial Bus (USB) port (for wired communication). Thecommunication interface may utilize a Bluetooth protocol, such asBluetooth Low Energy, to provide wireless communication.

Any suitable static image may be an image displayable on the viewingsurface of the flexible display. The static image may include acartoon-like image or a realistic image. The static image may bedisplayed in colour on part of all the viewing surface.

Any suitable motion image may be an image displayable on the viewingsurface of the flexible display. A motion image may appear as continuousmovement or changes in the flexible display. For example, brightness orthe colour of various pixels may change. The motion image may include acartoon-like image, a live action image, or a life-like action image(for example, using computer generated graphics). Non-limiting examplesof motion images include: animated flames, an animated object orcreature (such as a fire-breathing dragon or fireworks), a colour changeof at least one portion of the viewing surface, emulation of aconventional cigarette burning and reducing in length, and modulationovertime of a static or motion image (for example, a change in speed orcolour tone).

A motion image may be stored as data in the memory of theaerosol-generating device, which may use more capacity of the memorythan a static image. The motion image may be stored using an averagecompression rate of greater than or equal to about 1, about 1.5, orabout 2 Megabits per second. Preferably, the motion image may be storedusing an average compression rate of about 1.5 Megabits per second(about 188 kilobytes per second). The motion image data or fileassociated with a puff may have a nominal duration of animation ofbetween about 0.5 to about 10 seconds, about 1 to about 7.5 seconds,about 2 to about 5 seconds. Preferably, the nominal duration of themotion image animation may be between about 2 to about 5 seconds. Eachmotion image file, or data associated with one motion image, may useless than or equal to about 2, about 1.5, about 1, or about 0.9Megabytes of memory capacity. Preferably, each motion image file may useabout 1 Megabyte of memory capacity.

The remote user device may be any suitable remote user device capable ofcommunicating with the aerosol-generating device. For example, theremote user device may be a smart phone, a tablet, or other deviceremote to the aerosol-generating device. The remote user device mayinclude its own communication interface to operatively couple to theaerosol-generating device. The operative coupling may be wired or,preferably, wireless. The communication interface may include one ormore of an antenna (for wireless communication) or a mini-UniversalSerial Bus (USB) port (for wired communication). The communicationinterface may utilize a Bluetooth protocol, such as Bluetooth LowEnergy, to provide wireless communication. The communication interfacemay also be capable of connecting the remote user device to theInternet.

The remote user device may be used for various functionality related tothe aerosol-generating device. Non-limiting examples of using the remoteuser device include managing images, capturing user selections, andconfiguring the aerosol-generating device. Non-limiting examples ofconfiguring the aerosol-generating device include selecting a particularvisual artistic effect to display on the viewing surface, downloadingone or more visual artistic effects, and selecting a colour of thevisual artistic effect (particularly for a change in colour effect whenpuffing).

Although the remote user device may facilitate some functionality of theaerosol-generating device, such as configuration of theaerosol-generating device, the remote user device may not needed fordaily use of the aerosol-generating device. For example, at least oneimage may be stored on the aerosol-generating device to be displayed inresponse to a user puff without needing a remote user device to beoperatively coupled, or connected, to the remote user device.

The remote user device, or more specifically an application installed onthe remote user device, may be configured with various modes. The usermay make selections regarding the various modes using, for example, atouchscreen of the remote user device.

One example of an application mode includes a select a visual artisticeffect mode. The user may open the application installed on the remoteuser device to a main menu. The user may want to download one or more ofthe visual artistic effects, for example, by using a selectable elementto enter a submenu. Upon selection, a submenu may be displayed with achoice of visual artistic effects. The user may choose one or more ofthe visual artistic effects to download. The selected visual artisticeffects may be downloaded to the aerosol-generating device from theremote user device using the communication interfaces. At any point inany of the submenus described herein, the user may want to return to themain menu and may be able to select a “no” or “cancel” element (forexample, a touch button).

Another example of an application mode includes a customize thefunctionality of the aerosol-generating device mode, which may be usedto change the functionality of the aerosol-generating device from itsfactory programming. The user may want to customize functionality, forexample, by using a selectable element of the main menu to enter asubmenu. The submenu may display one or more options for configuring theaerosol-generating device that are selectable by the user. Non-limitingexamples of the options include enabling a visual artistic effectconfiguration, enabling a video manual configuration, and enabling avideo message configuration. The user may choose to proceed withconfiguring the selected options, or to “register” the selected options,for example, by using a selectable element to enter one or moreadditional submenus. Each submenu may be related to a different one ofthe selected options. The submenus may be displayed in any suitablemanner, such as concurrently, sequentially, or a combination of both.

If the visual artistic effect configuration was selected, a submenu maybe displayed showing a selection to enable a default visual artisticeffect or to enable an automatic visual artistic effect. If the defaultvisual artistic effect is selected, another submenu may be displayedthat allows the user to select a visual artistic effect from visualartistic effects stored in the memory of the aerosol-generating device.If the automatic visual artistic effect is selected, theaerosol-generating device may automatically select a visual artisticeffect based on the detected aerosol-generating substrate associatedwith the aerosol-generating device. For example, the visual artisticeffect may be selected by the aerosol-generating device based on anidentifier of the cartridge or stick coupled to the aerosolizer. Thevisual artistic effect may be displayed on the viewing screen inresponse to a puff detection or a puff profile.

If the video manual configuration was selected, a submenu may bedisplayed showing a selection to start a video manual on power-on or tostart a video manual on detecting user pattern. If the start a videomanual on power-on is selected, a video user manual may be displayed onthe viewing surface when the aerosol-generating device is turned on, forexample, by the user pressing a power button of the aerosol-generatingdevice. If the start a video manual on detecting user pattern isselected, a video user manual may be displayed on the viewing surfacewhen a particular user pattern is detected. For example, theaerosol-generating device may detect that the power button is pressedfour consecutive times within a time period, and then a video manual maybe played on the viewing surface.

If the video message configuration was selected, a submenu may bedisplayed to show two or more choices for the video message to bedisplayed to the user. Any useful type of video message may be displayedto the user. One video message may display, for example, “battery testactivated; the device will not start.” The aerosol-generating device mayenter a battery test mode when a power button is pressed and releasedtoo quickly, which may mitigate unintended starting of the device.Another video message may display, for example, “device starting, youcan start vaping in 30 seconds.” The device may turn on when the powerbutton is pressed but vaping may not begin immediately.

After configuration of each of the selected options is finished, theuser may choose to proceed with downloading data, or “registering” theconfigurations, to the aerosol-generating device using, for example, aselectable element. Any device configuration and visual artistic effectsmay be downloaded to the aerosol-generating device using thecommunication interfaces.

Another example of an application mode includes a customize the visualuser interface mode. The user may want to customize the visual userinterface of the aerosol-generating device, for example, by using aselectable element to enter a submenu. The user may select one or moreoptions to configure the visual user interface of the aerosol-generatingdevice relating to one or more of viewable elements, selectableelements, the arrangement of elements, colours, sizes, and visualquality.

The aerosol-generating device may be used according to various methods.The aerosol-generating device may detect a puff on theaerosol-generating device of a user. Then, a motion image may bedisplayed on the curved viewing surface of the flexible display of theaerosol-generating device. A non-transitory computer readable storagemedium may include a stored computer program that, when run onprogrammable electric circuitry of the aerosol-generating device, maycause the programmable electric circuitry to execute various methods foruse with the aerosol-generating device, in particular to interact withthe user using one or more senses.

The visual user interface for the aerosol-generating device may beunderstood with reference to one or more drawings. The schematicdrawings are not necessarily to scale and are presented for purposes ofillustration and not limitation. The drawings depict one or more aspectsdescribed in this disclosure. However, it will be understood that otheraspects not depicted in the drawing fall within the scope of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing an aerosol-generating device10 providing a visual user interface 12 for a user. The device 10 mayinclude a housing 14 with an outer surface 16, which may be curved tosurround a longitudinal axis 18. Generally, the aerosol-generatingdevice 10 may be elongate and extend along the axis 18.

The device 10 may also include a flexible display 20 with a viewingsurface 22, which may be curved to at least partially surround the axis18. The display 20 may extend around the axis 18 about 90 degrees ormore.

The outer surface 16 may include a cylindrical shape. The display 20 maybe disposed adjacent to the outer surface 16. The display 20 may be inthe shape of a partial cylinder. In particular, the display 20 may beflush to the outer surface 16.

Any suitable display 20 may be used, such as an AMOLED display. Thedisplay 20 may be touch sensitive. For example, a transparenttouchscreen may cover the viewing surface 22.

The device 10 may include a mouth portion 24 and a controller portion28. The controller portion 28 may be distal to the mouth portion 24along the axis 18. An actuator 26 may be disposed on the mouth portion24 or the controller portion 28. The actuator 26 may be used to activatean aerosolizer of the device 10 in response to the actuator beingpressed by the user. The display 20 may be disposed on the mouth portion24 or the controller portion 28. The display 20 may be disposed distalto the mouth portion 24, the actuator 26, or both.

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C are schematic illustrations showing aprogression over time of a motion image 30 displayed on theaerosol-generating device 10. In particular, various snapshots 31, 32,33 of the motion image 30 are shown on the viewing surface 22 of thedisplay 20. Although only three snapshots are shown, the motion image 30may be an animation that includes a plurality of images sufficient toprovide a continuous motion experience for the user. As can be seen, themotion image 30 may grow from snapshot 31, which covers about one-thirdof the viewing surface 22 at an early point in the animation, tosnapshot 32, which covers about one-half of the viewing surface at amiddle point in the animation. The motion image 30 may then grow tosnapshot 32, which covers all or almost all of the viewing surface 22 ata late point in the animation. Although the size of the motion image 30changes in this illustration, the motion image 30 may change in avarious number of ways over time. For example, the motion image 30 mayinclude a change in one or more of colour, brightness, contrast, colouror colour tone, speed of animation, size, and visual quality. The changemay be shown on at least one portion of the viewing surface 22.

Change in the motion image 30 may be modulated in response to a puffprofile of a user puff, which may also activate an aerosolizer of thedevice 10. The viewing surface 22 may also be used to display a staticimage, for example, when a user is not puffing on the mouth portion ofthe device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing an aerosol-generating device100 in a cross-sectional view, which may be one example of theaerosol-generating device 10 (FIG. 1). The device 100 may include ahousing 14, a mouth portion 24, and a controller portion 28. A powersource 60, such as a battery, may be operatively coupled to one or morecomponents to provide power. An actuator 26 and a display 20 may bedisposed on the controller portion 28. The mouth portion 24 may includean aerosolizer 35 in the form of a heating blade. An aerosol-generatingsubstrate 37 in the form of a heat stick may be inserted into the mouthportion 24 and onto the aerosolizer. A container of theaerosol-generating substrate 37 may include or may be coupled to amouthpiece 40 and an identifier 42. The user may inhale on themouthpiece 40 to register a user puff. The identifier 42 may contain anidentifier related to the type of aerosol-generating substrate 37 orother related characteristics.

A thermal brake 62 may be disposed between at least a portion of theaerosolizer 35 and a control circuit 54. The aerosolizer 35 may extendthrough the thermal brake 62. The control circuit 54 may includecomponents to enable various functionality of the device 100, which maybe sensitive to heat produced by the aerosolizer 35.

The control circuit 54 may include a controller 50, which may be amicrocontroller or microprocessor, and a communications interface 52.The controller 50 may be operatively coupled to the aerosolizer 35 andthe communications interface 52. The communications interface 52 may beintegrated into the controller 50. The communications interface 52 maybe capable of communicating using a Bluetooth protocol, such as BLE. Thecommunications interface 52 may be used to download one or more imagesfrom a remote user device. A puff sensor 51 may be operatively coupledto the control circuit 54 and positioned to detect an inhalation of theuser on the mouth portion 24.

The control circuit 54 may include a memory 56 operatively coupled tothe controller 50. The memory 56 may be used to store data, such as oneor more images, user selections, and device configurations. The controlcircuit 54 may include a display driver 58 operatively coupled to thecontroller 50. Although not shown, the display driver 58 may beintegrated into the controller 50.

The display 20, which may wrap at least partially around the housing 14,may be operatively coupled to the control circuit 54, such as thedisplay driver 58 or the controller 50. An image may be fetched from thememory 56 and provided to the display driver 58 to show on the display20. One or more motion images may be stored in the memory 56 using atleast about 500 kilobytes. The memory 56 may be used to store aplurality of images including one or more motion images.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing an aerosol-generating device200 in a cross-sectional view, which may be one example of theaerosol-generating device 10 (FIG. 1). Many of the parts and componentsdepicted in FIG. 3 are the same or similar to those depicted in, anddescribed with regard to, FIG. 2. Reference is made to the discussionabove regarding FIG. 2 for numbered elements depicted in, but notspecifically discussed with regard to, FIG. 3.

The device 200 may differ from the device 100 in that the aerosolizer 36may be in the form of a heater, which may include a heating element, andthe aerosol-generating substrate 38 may contain a liquid. The mouthpiece40 may be disposed on the mouth portion 24. The device 200 may notinclude a thermal brake 62 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing the aerosol-generating device10, which may be in operative communication to transfer data with aremote user device 70. The remote user device 70 and the device 10 mayeach include a respective communication interface to enable operativecommunication between the devices, for example, using a Bluetoothprotocol. The remote user device 70 may include a user input and outputcomponents, such as a display 72 having a touchscreen. An application 74may be shown on the display 72 when opened by the user. The application74 may show one or more elements on the display 72, such as a viewableelement 76 or a selectable element 78 (for example, a button).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method 300 for using a remote userdevice, such as remote user device 70 (FIG. 5). The method 300 mayrelated to customizing an aerosol-generating device. However, the remoteuser device 70 may be used for other functionality, such as downloadingvisual artistic effects onto the aerosol-generating device.

The method 300 may begin with process 302, in which a main menu isdisplayed when an application is opened by a user that relates tointeracting with the aerosol-generating device. The method 300 maycontinue to process 304, in which the remote user device determineswhether the user has selected to configure the aerosol-generatingdevice. If so, the method 300 may continue to process 306. If not, themethod 300 may keep checking to determine whether the user has made aselection.

In process 306, a submenu may be displayed allowing the user to selectone or more functions to customize on the aerosol-generating device,such as customizing a visual artistic effect configuration, a videomanual configuration, or a video message configuration. In process 308,the remote user device may determine whether the user has selected toproceed with configuring the one or more selected options. If so, themethod 300 may proceed to one or more processes 310, 312, 314. If not,the method 300 may keep checking to determine whether the user has madea selection.

The process may proceed onto one or more of processes 310, 312, 314,which may display one or more submenus on the remote user deviceconcurrently, sequentially, or a combination of both. For example, inprocess 310, a submenu may be displayed showing a selection to enable adefault visual artistic effect or to enable an automatic visual artisticeffect. In process 312, a submenu may be displayed showing a selectionto start a video manual on power-on or to start a video manual ondetecting user pattern. In process 314, a submenu may be displayed toshow two or more choices for the video message to be displayed to theuser.

Once one or more of processes 310, 312, 314 are completed, the user maychoose to download or register the selected configurations onto theaerosol-generating device in process 316. If the remote user devicedetects that the user has selected to register the configurations, themethod 300 may continue to process 318. If not, the method 300 may keepchecking to determine whether the user has made a selection. In process318, the remote user device may download the selected configurationsusing the respective communication interfaces of the remote user deviceand the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device maythen store the configurations into memory.

The specific embodiments described above are intended to illustrate theinvention. However, other embodiments may be made without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the claims, and it is to beunderstood that the specific embodiments described above are notintended to be limiting.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompassembodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictatesotherwise.

As used herein, “or” is generally employed in its sense including“and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term“and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of anytwo or more of the listed elements.

As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,”“comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, andgenerally mean “including, but not limited to.” It will be understoodthat “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like aresubsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the disclosure, including the claims.

1. An aerosol-generating device providing a visual user interface, thedevice comprising: a housing comprising a curved outer surfacesurrounding a longitudinal axis; a flexible display comprising a curvedviewing surface at least partially surrounding the longitudinal axisdisposed adjacent to the curved outer surface; an aerosolizer togenerate aerosol from an aerosol-generating substrate; and a controlcircuit operatively coupled to the flexible display and comprising amemory to store a motion image, the control circuit configured todisplay the motion image on the curved viewing surface in response toactivation of the aerosolizer, the control circuit configured tomodulate the display of the motion image in response to a puff profileof a user puff used to activate the aerosolizer.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein the flexible display is an AMOLED display.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible display is touch sensitive, and preferablywherein the flexible display is configured to display one or moreselectable elements.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexibledisplay extends around the longitudinal axis about 90 degrees or more.5. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible display is in the shapeof a partial cylinder.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexibledisplay is disposed distal to a mouth portion, an actuator, or both, theactuator configured to activate the aerosolizer in response to beingpressed by the user.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the motion imagecomprises a colour change of at least one portion of the curved viewingsurface.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit isfurther configured to display a static or motion image when a user isnot puffing on a mouth portion of the device.
 9. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store the motion imageusing at least about 500 kilobytes.
 10. The device according to claim 1,wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of imagesincluding the motion image.
 11. The device according to claim 1, whereinthe control circuit comprises a communication interface configured todownload one or more images from a remote user device.
 12. A method foruse with the aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: detectingactivation of the aerosolizer of the aerosol-generating device of claim1; and displaying the motion image on the curved viewing surface of theflexible display.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediumincluding a stored computer program that, when run on programmableelectric circuitry, causes the programmable electric circuitry toexecute the method according to claim 12.